Chapter 544 - 443: Advancement
Two years later.
Within the Little Spirit Realm, thanks to Qin Ming’s years of planting and nurturing, it had become a vibrant and lush landscape.
A hundred flowers bloomed, competing in splendor and beauty.
Rare Spirit Plants, seldom seen in the outside world, covered the area, resembling an Immortal Mansion Medicine Garden, akin to a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land.
He then spent tens of thousands of High-Grade Spirit Stones, feeding the Spirit Marrow Taisui, enhancing the Spirit Vein within the Little Spirit Realm to Tier Four Middle-Grade.
A stark contrast to when he first acquired this Blessed Land, a complete transformation.
Especially the ’Seven Marvelous Treasure Tree’, with Tier Five potential, Qin Ming accelerated its ripening using entries refreshed over the years, growing it three inches tall, emitting a shimmering treasure light.
Among the numerous Spirit Plants, aside from his Lifebound Spirit Plant, it was the most mystical.
Qin Ming casually pointed in the air, casting the Great Five Elements Spirit Rain Technique, regularly bringing rainfall to the Spirit Field’s Spirit Plant crops.
Now, his Nascent Soul Stage cultivation allowed the Great Five Elements Technique to cover the entire Little Spirit Realm.
With just a wave of his hand, the clouds gathered and dispersed, and ordinary people would think an Immortal was orchestrating the rain.
The Heaven-Devouring Rat was in the medicine field, helping Qin Ming clear weeds, catch insects, ward off pests, and tend to the Spirit Plants.
Diligently so.
As the Spiritual Rain approached within three inches of its body, it was warded off by a barrier of Demonic Power, unable to touch it.
Over the years, the Heaven-Devouring Rat had been tending the Spirit Field while also diligently cultivating, refining its Tier Three Perfection cultivation to an extremely seamless state.
Only waiting for the right moment to take the final step to become a true Transformed Great Demon.
Most of the Tier Four Bloodscale Demon Python’s treasure meat had been eaten by the Three-headed Spirit Beast, transforming into resources for cultivation.
Such treatment, fighting for survival in the Beast Roar Mountain Range, the Demon Beast could never enjoy.
Qin Ming also tried to impart the Demon Race Scripture "Celestial Demon Refining Form Strategy" to the Heaven-Devouring Rat.
However, unfortunately, despite the Heaven-Devouring Rat’s relentless indulgence in lavish feasts, frantically supplementing with Qi Blood Spiritual Materials, it never managed to grasp it.
Leaving the Heaven-Devouring Rat quite irritated: "Ah! The Demon Race Scripture is truly too difficult."
Within the Spirit Field.
The Lifebound Spirit Plant Yin Yang Profound Vine flourished, enveloped in mist between its branches, seemingly holding infinite time and space.
Buzz buzz buzz~
Swarms of Four-winged Frost Bees labored busily. Under the influence of the Yin Yang Profound Vine, over two hundred years had passed, all transformed and advanced into Tier Three Low-Grade Spirit Insects.
They only grew slightly bigger, turning into Silver Bees, with faint golden Spirit Patterns shimmering on their bodies.
Qin Ming searched through various Spirit Insect compendiums but couldn’t find any entry describing similar Spirit Insects.
Since transplanting this hive of ordinary bees onto the Lifebound Spirit Plant, he rarely managed them.
Beyond nurturing the Queen Bee ’Silver-winged Frost Bee’, he never expected that someday, these mundane bees under the influence of the Profound Vine would undergo such radical transformation, continuingly evolving.
Moreover, according to his observations, this hive of Spirit Bees likely hadn’t yet reached their limit, remaining in their juvenile phase.
As the Lifebound Spirit Plant Yin Yang Profound Vine grows, they would continue to advance.
The Silver-winged Frost Bee was just one step away from advancing to Tier Three Perfection.
The Heaven-Devouring Rat and Profound Water Crocodile often asked the Queen Bee for Spiritual Honey, living such a carefree life.
After finishing with the Spiritual Rain, Qin Ming approached the Yin Yang Profound Vine.
During these two years, he accelerated the fermentation and settling of the Spirit Wine with the Four Seasons Divine Light, and now the time was ripe.
He retrieved a jar of ’Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid’ from beneath the tree.
"According to the Wine Immortal Divine Formula, not even Immortals would barter this Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid, a true Jade Dew Immortal Brew."
"Rarely savored in the mortal realm."
"Even better than a Nascent Soul Pill by several times, it enhances and strengthens Nascent Soul Dharma Cultivation."
"After investing so much time, using the special Demon Pill of the Tier Four Nether Water Giant Snake as the main ingredient, grinding it into fine powder, supplemented with Red Sun Deer Antler and Top-Grade Bee King Spirit Potion, as well as dozens of rare spiritual materials, finally brewing this wine."
"It must live up to the standards of Jadescent Nectar; I wouldn’t be disappointed."
Qin Ming carried the wine jar, strolling to the lakeside, bringing out an exquisite set of drinking vessels with great attention to detail.
"Fine wine deserves fine cups."
"I had no idea the West Nether Old Monster appreciated this, having gathered such an extensive collection of drinkware."
These crystal cups and vessels were found in the True Monarch of the West Nether’s storage pouch.
Upon hearing the commotion, the Heaven-Devouring Rat hurried over to Qin Ming with a cheerful smile, asking:
"Hey hey! Master, is this the Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid you’ve been talking about?"
However, Qin Ming’s next words poured a cold shower on its enthusiasm.
"Indeed, it is this Jade Brew, but don’t even think about it now. The Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid is a Tier Four Spirit Wine, much stronger than the Demon Python meat; its medicinal power is overwhelmingly potent, meant specifically for augmenting Nascent Soul Dharma Power."
"If you forcibly drink this wine at your current cultivation, it might be counterproductive, and the Spiritual Qi could burst your meridians..."
"Focus on your cultivation until you break through to Tier Four Demon Saint, then we can talk, anyway, there are a dozen jars of Spirit Wine left."
"Let me sample a few first, hehe!"
Qin Ming found its anxious expression amusing, gently patting it on the shoulder for comfort.
The Heaven-Devouring Rat looked downtrodden, deeply disappointed, then said:
"Then let me pour the wine for master, at least I can smell it, can’t I?"
Qin Ming chuckled lightly, saying to it, "Fill it up!"
The Heaven-Devouring Rat immediately climbed on the stone table, opened the sealed lid.
Buzz~
A golden mist emanated from the wine jar, the jade liquid golden wave-like Immortal Brew emitted an enticing fragrance.
Astonishing Spiritual Qi, spread all around.
Gulugulu~
The Heaven-Devouring Rat gulped fiercely, holding the Jadescent Nectar yet unable to drink it, a truly agonizing feeling.
It carefully picked up the wine jar, poured Spirit Wine into the crystal jade cup before Qin Ming.
"Master, please enjoy the Spirit Wine, hehe."
"Mm." Qin Ming lifted the crystal cup, quite satisfied with the Heaven-Devouring Rat’s servitude.
Then.
Boom!
As the Spirit Wine entered his throat, it transformed into a pure and intense flow of Spiritual Power, coursing through his entire body, releasing within Qin Ming.
His entire being felt as if dipping in a hot spring, steaming, with boundless change of flavors, indescribable.
"Then I drank Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid, my body’s impurities immediately cleansed, truly worthy of Immortal Mansion Spirit Brew."
The Nascent Soul sitting atop the Purple Mansion in his body also felt revitalized, awakening from its meditative state.
The Nascent Soul revealed an excited expression, opened its mouth, and instantly absorbed all the medicinal power from the Spirit Liquid.
Qin Ming immediately felt the Nascent Soul Dharma Power within him begin to slowly grow.
Inside the Blood Massacre Spiritual Treasure.
"Alas! I won’t look, I won’t look." Qingyang the Old Demon also watched Qin Ming savoring the Spirit Wine Immortal Brew, drooling with envy, and immediately lamented, pounding his chest and stamping his feet.
Back in the day, he too was well-versed in this art.
Thus, after drinking the Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid, Qin Ming began to cultivate the "Cyan Emperor Technique".
Vast Spiritual Qi surged into his body, strand after strand.
Even with Qin Ming’s current physique, after drinking half a jar of Spirit Wine in succession, he also felt intoxicated.
So he had the Heaven-Devouring Rat put away the Spirit Wine and began closed-door training to refine the medicinal power within.
Months later.
Qin Ming awoke from cultivation, his whole body exuding an ancient and weathered aura.
Beside him, his three Spirit Pets still lay there, cultivating alongside him.
"The Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid indeed lives up to its name!"
Qin Ming felt the Nascent Soul Dharma Power within him continuously improving and expanding, his eyes showing a hint of excitement.
Surpassing his usual cultivation pace by a wide margin.
During this period, he also consumed and refined the Purifying Void Pill that True Monarch Dragon Wood had given him.
His cultivation advanced another step.
"At this cultivation speed, reaching the mid-stage Nascent Soul is only a matter of time."
"This Spirit Rhinoceros Jade Liquid even benefits mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, so those old monsters outside would surely fight over it."
"It might not even take a hundred years... and my cultivation could advance to mid-stage Nascent Soul."
The Nascent Soul on Qin Ming’s Purple Mansion Spirit Platform also became more solidified.
Upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, one’s lifespan is long; being stuck at the early stage for several hundred years without progress is quite normal.
The closed-door training came to an end.
Qin Ming exited the Little Spirit Realm and contacted Hua Tianxiong through the Black Talisman.
"Hua Tianxiong, how are things on your side?"
"Preparing to leave Great Jin, heading to the East Sea."
Hua Tianxiong, upon hearing this, said, "Master, you’ve come out of seclusion?"
"Everything on my side has been taken care of."
For the past two years, Qin Ming had been gathering intelligence on the Descent Realm in Great Jin. Fortunately, perhaps due to the fall of Blood Aversion Demon Monarch, the Blood Refining Demon Sect’s offensive had weakened significantly.
Over a dozen Void Anomalies scattered across various locations were also eliminated by the Guardian Dao Alliance, allowing for a moment of respite.
Qin Ming had opted not to disguise himself for this journey and instead revealed his true identity.
After all, he was seeking Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures for the Nascent Soul stage, mostly involving interactions with fellow Nascent Soul cultivators.
Hua Tianxiong sat atop the Lingxiao Imperial Carriage, gazing at the rapidly receding scenery below, feeling a mix of emotions.
He hadn’t expected to one day leave the Great Jin he’d worked so hard to build for most of his life.
The Thousand Mechanism Trading Company under Hua Tianxiong’s command had also been relocated to the Southern Wilderness, with some parts being disbanded.
The Lingxiao Imperial Carriage moved swiftly, and after five days of flight, Qin Ming and his companion arrived at the Black Sea.
Soon after, they reached Little Turtle Island, governed by the East Sea Cultivation Realm.
The journey from the Black Sea to the East Sea Cultivation Realm was incredibly distant; although Qin Ming could theoretically cross the journey with his Nascent Soul-stage cultivation, the unfamiliar terrain and potential to get lost, even with a Nautical Chart, posed real threats.
Qin Ming suddenly remembered someone, planning to take his ship to the East Sea Cultivation Realm.
That person was Shi Jin of the Black Sail Pirate Gang.
This man, having roamed the seas for many years, was naturally very knowledgeable about the strange tales and events within the East Sea Cultivation Realm.
With him guiding the way, they could avoid taking many detours.
This was also Hua Tianxiong’s first time in such a distant sea area, and he stood on the barren Little Turtle Island, looking around.
In the next moment.
Qin Ming took out a black Spirit Shell, spoke a few words into it, and then cast a spell.
A mysterious Spiritual Light emitted from the Spirit Shell, disappearing into the horizon in an instant.
Shortly thereafter.
The two of them waited for several days on Little Turtle Island.
During this period, the deserted island saw no other cultivators arriving to board ships.
Just the two of them, illustrating the scarce population of this place.
Not long after, a black spot gradually appeared in their line of sight, and the silhouette of the Black Sail emerged on the horizon.
On the Black Sail.
The pirate leader, Shi Jin, stood at the bow, exuding a rough aura, frowning as he gazed at Little Turtle Island from afar.
Beside him stood his son, Shi Tianming, who resembled a skinny monkey.
Shi Tianming squatted at the bow, wearing a straw hat, and turned his head to ask Shi Jin, "Dad, why are there two people?"
"Didn’t you say the message came from the senior who once took our ship to the Southern Wilderness and saved our lives?"
Shi Jin’s face also showed a look of confusion; after pondering, he said, "Hmm... not sure, let’s get closer and take a look. Have your crew stay vigilant." Shi Jin tapped his smoking pipe on the ship’s bow.
"Got it!"
After half an incense stick’s time.
The Black Sail slowly docked on the shores of Little Turtle Island.
Shi Jin leaped ashore.
He was taken aback to see that one of them was a plump, white cultivator, with a cultivation level at the mid-stage Golden Core.
This made him inwardly alert and cautious.
Then he shifted his gaze to the plain-looking young cultivator beside the plump one, who astonishingly had no discernible mana aura, appearing no different from an ordinary mortal at first glance.
But this person gave him an inexplicable sense of dread.
Moreover, the plump white cultivator’s demeanor subtly deferred to the young cultivator.
Faced with such a scene, even a veteran pirate like him, who had roamed the seas for many years, showed a perplexed and wary expression.
He immediately went forward and cupped his hands to the two, adopting a humble pose as he inquired:
"Might I ask what your relation to Elder Lu is, and why do you use the Ten Thousand Spirits Shell he gave me to summon me here?"
...